Tractor loaders



Nov. 27, 1962 T. e. G'RANRYD ETAL 3,065,870

TRACTOR LOADERS Filed June 13, '1960 2 Sheets-Sheet i 51 13v EN TO E5 77-103 VA L 0 GT G's/a A/Zg/D J-Jszb EETAZMQEK Nov. 27, 196 T. e. GRANRYD ETAL 3,06

TRACTOR LOADERS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 13, 1960 STE/K50 C'ONF/GUELWON CONF/Gl/EQWON OFFEEE FLO W/NG Mn TEE/[2L 3W NANA 5& ZP NOE. we ii R [w E A/TozA/Ey United States Patent Ofilice Bfibfiinhih Patented Nov. 2?, 1962 3,065,870 TRAQTOR LEADERS Thorvaid G. Granryd, Libertyville, and Herbert A. Mark, Northhrook, lit, assignors to The Frank G. Hough Co., a corporation of Illinois Filed June 13, 196i), Ser. No. 35,766 12 Claims. (til. 214-140) This invention relates generally to tractor loaders, and more specifically to an improved bucket construction for a front-end type tractor loader, which bucket construction is uniquely adapted for the handling of free flowing granulated material.

In the handling of free flowing graulated material with front-end type tractor loaders such as are known in the art, a serious problem is encountered in spillage of the granulated material from the bucket. This spillage occurs in a number of ways, firstly, because of the relative ease with which the bucket may be heaped with the material from a pile, withdrawal of the tractor and bucket from the pile results in immediate spillage in the vicinity of the pile as the initial, somewhat cone-shaped, heaped load on the bucket is reduced by spillage as the bucket and machine are withdrawn from the pile. Further, in the carrying position of the bucket, the bucket is usually tipped rearwardly through an angle of approximately 49, and in this position the forward edge of the cutting edge is considerably vertically below the upper edges of the sidewalls and back wall of the bucket so that in the transport of the load to a remote location, additional spillage occurs until under some conditions only about one-half of the material originally dug is retained within the confines of the bucket.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a bucket arrangement for a tractor loader such as disclosed in US. Patent No. 2,822,098, issued February 4, 1958, to R. L. Beyerstedt, which will greatly aid in digging and carrying a free-flowing granulated type of material with a minimum of spillage.

It is a feature of the present invention that a load striker and maintainer construction is produced for. a tractor loader bucket which in operating will first strike off a heaped free flowing load in the bucket, which load in being shaken during the traveling of the machine will level out to a substantially full bucket with substantially no spillage.

Other objects and features of the present invention will be apparent upon a perusal of the following specification and drawings of which:

FIGURE 1 is a partial side elevational View of a tractor loader constructed according to the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a view such as FIGURE 1 with the bucket operated to the breakout position;

FIGURE 3 is a view such as FIGURE 1 with the bucket operated to a load carrying position; and

FIGURE 4 is a front elevational view of the structure shown in FIGURE 3.

The present embodiment is the preferred embodiment, but it is to be understood that changes can be made in the present embodiment by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

For a general description of the present invention reference is made to the drawings and the aforementioned patent. The bucket is constructed to have a pair of side walls spaced apart by a curved bottom and rear wall. The forward marginal edge of the bottom wall is provided with a cutting edge. The bucket is pivotally mounted on a boom, and a linkage arrangement is provided for pivoting the bucket relative to the boom. Means are also provided for raising and lowering the boom. In the digging position, the bucket is lowered to ground level, and the linkage means is operated to position the bottom wall of the bucket in a substantially horizontal plane such as shown in FIG- URE 1. As may be seen therein, the forward marginal edges of the sidewalls are curved as a portion of a circle with its origin point approximately at the pivotal axis of the bucket on the boom. The back wall of the bucket is disposed to be inclined substantially forwardly and upwardly. A somewhat U-shaped load striker and retainer or maintainer blade or element is pivotally mounted, at the ends of the legs thereof, on substantially the same axis that the bucket is pivotally mounted on the boom. The cross-member of the U-shaped blade or striker element will in pivoting from the position shown in FTGURE l or 2 to that shown in FIGURE 3 strike off the heaped load along a curved plane such as shown in FIGURE 3. The cross-member which itself is somewhat U or V-shaped in cross-section has one portion which acts as the striker blade, and the striker blade with the other walls thereof further acting as load maintaining walls when the machine is operated in traveling to a remote location for dumping. During travel the free flowing material will flow approximately from the striker configuration to the straight line configuration shown in dotted lines in FIGURE 3'. The striker element is operated by a pair of hydraulic rams which are pivotally connected at their head ends to flanges formed on the side Walls of the bucket, and at their rod ends to short extensions on the ends of the legs of the striker element. When those hydraulic rams are completely extended, the U-shaped element is positioned such as shown in FiGURE l or 2. When the rams are completely retracted, the striker eiement assumes the position shown in FIGURE 3. The crossmember of the striker element must have a size correlated to the dimensions of the bucket walls so that the volume of material in the striker configuration approximately equals the volume defined by the bucket,

the striker element and a horizontal plane through the upper surface of the cross-member of the striker eiement when the bucket has been tilted rearwardiy to the break-out or carrying position such as shown in FIGURE 3.

For a detailed description of the present invention continued reference is made to the drawings and the noted patent. A four-wheel rubber tired tractor having wheels it) and an operators compartment 11 is provided with a boom 12 one end of which is carried on the tractor and the other end of which is disposed forwardly thereof. Some means such as the rams 25 of the noted patent are provided for raising and lowering the forward end of the boom 12.. A link 13 is also provided and is formed in duplicate portions one on each side of the tractor, as is the boom 12. The link 1?: is operatively carried at one end thereof on the tractor and the other end thereof is positioned forwardly of the tractor.

The bucket comprises a pair of spaced apart side walls 15 and a curved plate 16 which defines the bottom and rear wall of the bucket. The forward marginal edge of the plate 16 is provided with a cutting edge 17. Pairs of flanges 18 are secured to the rear side of the bucket in a spaced apart relationship transversely of each other for mounting of the bucket on the boom and for connecting of the bucket to the links 13. Pins 22'? mounted through the flanges 18 and the end of the boom 12 pivotally carry the bucket on the forward end of the boom 12. The forward marginal edges of the side walls 15 are curved, and that curvature is traced by a portion of a aoeasro circle having its center at the axis of the pins 27 which substantially axially coincide with the axis of pins 2%. The links 13 are pivotally connected at their forward ends to the flanges 13 by pins 21. Pins 21 are disposed substantially vertically above pins 26 when the bucket is in the ground level digging position such as shown in FIGURE 1. With the above described arrangement, the links 13 may be moved to pivot the bucket rearwardly toward the tractor about the axis of pins 2%) through an angle of approximately 40 at which position the boom 12 will prevent any further rearward tilting of the bucket. The angle between the bottom Wall and rear wall of the bucket is approximately 40 so that when the bucket is tilted from the ground level digging position such as shown in FIGURE 1 to the break-out or carrying position shown in FIGURE 2, the rear wall of the bucket is substantially vertically positioned, the open side of the bucket is disposed upwardly, and the marginal edge of the cutting edge 17 is disposed below the upper marginal edge of the back wall. In digging a free-flowing granulated material such as shown at 22 in FIGURE 1, the bucket is positioned such as shown in FIGURE 1, and the tractor is then moved forwardly causing the cutting edge 17 and side walls of the bucket to be forced into the material 22. As the bucket is forced into the material, the links 13 are operated to pivot the bucket rearwardly toward the position shown in FIGURE 2. This scooping action of the bucket as it is moved forwardly and tilted rearwardly results in a substantially heaped bucket such as shown in FIGURE 2.

The load striking and maintaining element generally indicated by the number 24 comprises a pair of lever arms 25 and a cross-member 26. The cross-member 25 includes a striker blade 26a, forward retaining and upper retaining walls 26b and 260, and side retaining members 26d. The members 26a, 26b and 260 may be formed as a single plate which is somewhate U or V-shaped as shown in the drawings with the side members 26d secured one at each end of the members 26a, 26b, and 26 by some means such as welding.

The levers 25 are secured one at each end of the crossmember 26 by any means such as welding, and the levers 25 are spaced apart a distance slightly more than the width of the bucket. The levers 25 are formed at their lower ends thereof as bellcranks, with the junction of the legs of the bellcrank having a pin 27 which is journalled in a bracket 28. Each of the brackets 28 is secured to the curved plate 16 at a position in the area of the junction of the bottom and rear walls of the bucket and so that the axis of the pins 27 substantially lies on the axis of pins 20. The bellcrank legs at the end of the levers 25 extend rearwardly of pins 27, and at their ends are pivotally connected to the piston rod of a double-acting hydraulic ram 30 by pivotal mounting means 31. The head end of each hydraulic ram 30 is pivotally connected to a bracket portion 15a formed on the side walls 15 adjacent the upper rear portions thereof. Suitable hydraulic fluid conduit, pump, and valve means (not shown) are provided for operation of the hydraulic rams 3G.

The levers 25 carry the cross-member 24 immediately inwardly of the planes including the side walls 15. The striker portion 26a extends inwardly of the forward marginal edges of the side walls 15 an amount sufficient to strike the heaped load from the position shown in FIG- URE 2 to that shown in FIGURE 3, with the surface of the material then being curved parallelly to the curve of the side walls 15' and slightly inwardly thereof. The members 26a, 26b, 26c and 26d must define a volume such that when the element 24 and the bucket are positioned such as shown in FIGURE 3, a load of freely flowing material may be moved or shaken from the striker configuration to a substantially flat horizontal surface such as shown in FIGURE 3 Without the loss ofany of the load resulting from the striker configuration.

The relative volumetric relationship as shown in the drawing are not intended to accurately show the foregoing described volumes.

It should be noted that when the element 24 is in the position shown in FIGURE 3 the lower marginal edge of the striker portion 26a engages the cutting edge 17 to prevent any material from flowing therebetween.

In the operation of the present invention the hydraulic rams 3d are first completely extended to a position such as shown in FIGURE 1, which operation thereof will bring the member 24 to a position adjacent the upper marginal edge of the rear wall of the bucket. With the bucket then positioned in the level digging position at ground level, the tractor is moved forwardly to force the cutting edge and side walls 15 of the bucket into the material 22. The bucket is then pivoted rearwardly by an appropriate operation of links 13 in a load scooping action to the position shown in FIGURE 2. While the bucket is still over or within the material being dug, the hydraulic rams 39 are then completely retracted to the position shown in R6- URE 3. This causes a forward movement of the member '24- with the striker portion 26a striking off the portion of the heaped material extending above the marginal edges of the bucket with the excess material thereby being returned to the pile of material 22. With the bucket in the position shown in FIGURE 3, the tractor is then moved rearwardly to withdraw the bucket from the pile, and the tractor is then operated to carry the loaded bucket to a remote location for dumping. As the tractor moves, the load of free-flowing material is jostled or shaken, and the free-flowing material will level out from the striker configuration to the level configuration shown in FIGURE 3 without the loss of any of the load during traveling. When the load is to be dumped, the hydraulic rams 30 are again completely extended, and the boom 12 is raised preparatory to dumping into some bin or other container. The links 13 are then operated to pivot the bucket downwardly to a dumping position wherein gravity will remove the load from the bucket. The digging, carrying and dumping cycle may then be repeated.

Although longitudinally reciprocating hydraulic rams 30 are shown, it is contemplated that other types of motors may be used to rotate the levers 25 about the axis of pins 27.

Having described the invention what is considered new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is:

1. A tractor loader comprising, a boom operatively carried on said tractor and extending forwardly thereof, a bucket comprising a pair of spaced apart side walls interconnected by a bottom and rear wall, means formed on the rear wall of said bucket for pivotally carrying said bucket on the forward end of the boom so that said bucket is movable from a horizontal digging position to a certain carrying position whereby the open side of the bucket is disposed substantially upwardly, a load striking and maintaining member comprising a pair of levers interconnected by a cross-member, said cross-member having a length substantially equal to the distance between said side walls of said bucket, each of said levers pivotally mounted on said bucket for pivotal movement of said levers to carry said cross-member over the open side of said bucket, said cross-member having a shape such that the lower edge thereof will strike off the upper surface of a load immediately below the marginal edges of said side walls when said levers are pivoted and further having a shape which in cooperation with the walls of the bucket will retain substantially the remaining load of a free-flowing material within said bucket when said bucket is carried and shaken in said certain carrying position.

2. A tractor loader comprising, a boom operatively carried on said tractor and extending forwardly thereof, a bucket comprising a pair of spaced apart side walls interconnected by a bottom and a rear wall, a cutting edge carried on the forward marginal edge of said bottom wall, means formed on the rear wall of said bucket for pivotally carrying said bucket on the forward end of the boom so that said bucket is movable from a horizontal digging position to a certain carrying position whereby the open side of the bucket is disposed substantially upwardly, a load striking and maintaining member comprising a pair of levers interconnected by a cross-member, said crossiember having a length substantially equal to the distance between said side walls of said bucket, each of said levers pivotally mounted on said bucket for pivotal movement of said levers to carry said cross-member over the open side of said bucket from the upper marginal edge of said rear wall to and in engagement with said cutting edge, said cross-member having a shape such that the lower edge thereof will strike off the upper surface of a heaped load in said bucket immediately below the marginal edges of said side walls when said levers are pivoted and further having a shape which in cooperation with said cutting edge will increase the volume of said bucket to retain substantially the remaining load of a free-flowing material within said bucket when said bucket is carried and shaken in said certain carrying position.

3. A tractor loader comprising a boom operatively carried on said tractor and extending forwardly thereof, a bucket comprising a pair of spaced apart side walls interconnected by a bottom and rear wall, means formed on the rear wall of said bucket for pivotally carrying said bucket on the forward end of the boom so that said bucket is movable from a horizontal digging position to a certain maximum load carrying position wherein the open side of the bucket is disposed substantially upwardly, a load striking and maintaining member comprising a pair of levers interconnected by a cross-member, said cross-member having a length substantially equal to the distance between said side walls of said bucket, each of said levers pivotal- 1y mounted on said bucket for pivotal movement of said levers to carry said cross-member over the open side of said bucket, the forward marginal edges of said side walls being formed to have a curvature substantially equal to that of a portion of a circle traced therethrough and having its center at the pivotal axis of said levers, said crossmember having a shape such that the lower edge thereof will strike off the upper surface of a heaped load in said bucket immediately below the curved marginal edges of said side walls when said levers are pivoted and further having a shape which in cooperating with the walls of the bucket will retain substantially the remaining load of a free-flowing material within said bucket when said bucket is carried and shaken in said certain maximum load carrying position.

4. In a tractor loader comprising a boom operatively carried on said tractor and extending forwardly thereof, a bucket comprising a pair of spaced apart side walls interconnected by a bottom and rear wall, a cutting edge carried on the forward marginal edge of said bottom wall, means formed on the rear wall of said bucket for pivotally carrying said bucket on the forward end of the boom so that said bucket is movable from a horizontal digging position to a certain maximum load carrying position wherein the open side of the bucket is disposed substantially upwardly, a load striking and maintaining member comprising a pair of levers interconnected by a crossmember, said cross-member having a length substantially equal to the distance between said side walls of said bucket, each of said levers pivotally mounted on said bucket for pivotal movement of said levers to carry said cross member over the open side of said bucket between the upper marginal edge of said rear wall and said cutting edge, the forward marginal edges of said side walls being formed to have a curvature substantially equal to that of a portion of a circle traced therethrough and having its center at the pivotal axis of said levers on said bucket, said cross-member having a shape such that the lower edge thereof will strike ed the upper surface of a heaped load in said bucket immediately below the curved marginal edges of said side walls when said levers are pivoted and further having a shape winch in cooperating with said cutting edge will increase the volume of said bucket to retain substantially the remaining load of a free-flowing material within said bucket when said bucket is carried and shaken in said certain maximum load carrying position.

5. in a tractor loader comprising a boom operatively carried on said tractor and extending forwardly thereof, a bucket comprising a pair of spaced apart side walls interconnected by a bottom and rear wall, a cutting edge carried on the forward marginal edge of said bottom wall, means formed on the rear wall of said bucket for pivotally carrying said bucket on the forward end of the boom so that said bucket is movable from a horizontal digging position to a certain maximum load carrying position wherein the open side of the bucket is disposed substantially upwardly, a load striking and maintaining member comprising a pair of levers interconnected by a crossmember, said cross-member having a length substantially equal to the distance between said side Walls of said bucket, each of said levers pivotally mounted on said bucket 0 for pivotal movement of said levers to carry said cross member over the open side of said bucket, the forward marginal edges of said side walls being formed to have a curvature substantially equal to that of a portion of a circle traced therethrough and having its center at the pivotal axis of said levers on said bucket, said cross-member being U-shaped having one portion thereof extending below the marginal edges of said side walls so that said one portion will strike otf the upper surface of a heaped load in said bucket immediately below the marginal edges of said side walls when said levers are pivoted, the remaining portions of said U-shaped cross-member being such that when said one portion engages said cutting edge of said bucket the volume of said bucket is increased to retain substantially the remaining load of a free-flowing material within said bucket and said cross-member when said bucket is carried and shaken in said certain maximum load carrying position.

6. In a tractor loader as claimed in claim 5 wherein said certain maximum load carrying position is one where u in the bottom wall of said bucket is disposed at substantially a angle relative to the horizontal.

7. In a tractor loader comprising a boom operatively' carried on said tractor and extending forwardly thereof, a bucket comprising a pair of spaced apart side walls interconnected by a bottom and rear wall, pivotal mounting means connected to said bucket for pivotally carrying said bucket on the forward end of the boom, a load striking and maintaining member comprising a cross-member having a pair of levers secured to the ends thereof, said crossmember having a length substantially equal to the distance between said side walls of said bucket, each of said levers pivotally mounted on said bucket for pivotal movement of said levers to sweep said cross-member over the open side of said bucket, said cross-member having a shape such that the lower edge thereof will strike off the upper surface of a load below the marginal edges of said side walls when said levers are pivoted and will retain substantially the remaining load of a free-flowing material within said bucket when said bucket is carried and shaken in a maximum load carrying position.

8. in a tractor loader as claimed in claim 7 wherein said maximum load carrying position is one wherein the bottom wall of said bucket is disposed at approximately a 40 angle relative to the horizontal.

9. in a tractor loader, comprising a boom operatively carried on said tractor and extending forwardly thereof, a bucket comprising a pair of spaced apart side walls interconnected by a bottom and rear wall, pivotal mounting means formed on the rear wall of said bucket for pivotally carrying said bucket on the forward end of the boom, the forward marginal edges of the side walls of said bucket being formed to have a curvature substantially equal to that of a portion of a circle traced therethrough and having its center at the axis of said pivotal mounting means, a load striking and maintaining member comprising a pair of levers interconnected by a cross-member, said cross-member having a length substantially equal to the distance between said side walls of said bucket, each of said levers pivotally mounted on said bucket for pivotal movement of said levers about an axis coincident with the axis of said pivotal mounting means, said cross-member having a shape such that the lower edge thereof will strike off the upper surface of a load immediately below the forward marginal edges of said side walls when said levers are pivoted and will retain substantially the remaining load of a free-flowing material within said bucket when said bucket is carried and shaken in a maximum load carrying position.

10. In a tractor loader as claimed in claim 9 wherein said maximum load carrying position is one wherein the bottom Wall of said bucket is disposed at approximately a 40 angle relative to the horizontal.

11. In a tractor loader comprising a boom operatively carried on said tractor and extending forwardly thereof, a bucket comprising a pair of spaced-apart side walls interconnected by a bottom wall and a rear wall, pivotal mounting means connected to said bucket for pivotally carrying said bucket on the forward end of said boom, said bucket being pivotally movable by said mounting means to a ground engaging and loading position and to a load-carrying position wherein the open side of said bucket is disposed substantially upwardly, a cross member substantially equal to the distance between said side walls, a lever secured to at least one end of said cross member, said lever pivotally mounted on said bucket for pivotal movement to sweep said cross member over the open side of said bucket, said cross member providing a portion which wHl strike off the excess of the load extending beyond said side walls in said bucket when said bucket is in said load-carrying position and said lever is pivoted.

12. In a tractor loader comprising a boom operatively carried on said tractor and extending forwardly thereof, a bucket comprising a pair of spaced-apart side walls interconnected by a bottom wall and, a rear wall, pivotal mounting means connected to said bucket for pivotally carrying said bucket on the forward end of said boom, said bucket being pivotally movable by said mounting means to a ground engaging and loading position and to a load-carrying position wherein the open side of said bucket is disposed substantially upwardly, a cross member substantially equal to the distance between said side walls, a lever secured to at least one end of said cross member, said lever pivotally mounted on said bucket for pivotal movement to sweep said cross member over the open side of said bucket, said cross member providing a substantial U-shaped portion to strike off the excess of the load extending beyond said side walls when said bucket is in said load-carrying position and said lever is pivoted, and said U-shaped portion further will receive a fraction of the load when said bucket is carried or shaken in said load-carrying position to prevent any substantial loss of the load below the excess.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,307,933 Le Bleu Jan. 12, 1943 2,322,458 Le Bleu June 22, 1943 2,455,160 Burrow Nov. 30, 1948 2,864,183 Ryan Dec. 16, 1958 

